Getting Started

[NYCentral1]

I'm relatively new to the HO spectrum of trains. I owned some Lionel O guage stuff and know a fairly decent amount of information about that guage, but I have decided to go to HO.

I have started out with a large loop of Atlas code 100 track and a Bachmann F7, in NYC (favorite rr) lightning stripe deco with DCC d. installed.

I'm working on a track plan and other things, but I want to try and get some freight cars and possibly a steamer.

So first a question about freight cars. I would like to start with some NYC freight, like some pacemaker boxcars or just some simple hoppers or something, but I'm having trouble finding companies or websites that offer really any NYC freight. Does anyone have any recommendations? I would really like some pacemaker stuff foremost, and I noticed Marklin makes some, so what do you all think of those cars? Also, on freight cars, most websites offer single cars that all have the same roadnumbers. How diff. is it to change the #s so they are different?

Now for Steam. I would like just a NYC Pacific 4-6-2 or something smaller, what companies do you all recommend? How diffucult is it to install DCC and sound in one of these locomotives? My current F7 has the DCC decoder installed, but what would I need to install a sound decoder?

[8][?]I appreciate any help... Thanks[8]

[Anonymous]

Go to http://www.walthers.com/ and do a product search. That should bring some products up. Have fun,
Morgan

[NYCentral1]

I've searched around at Walthers some, but they're pretty out of stock right now.

I've seen companies like IHC making steam, how are their products? What products are good to upgrade these to Sound/DCC?

[Anonymous]

IHC are pretty good running engines. The detail isnt spectacular but the price is right. Decoder install in an IHC is pretty straightforward too. As for cars or any other things for that matter. I use www.discounttrainsonline.com They might have what you want.

[Anonymous]

I've heard mostly good things about BLI (Broadway Limited, Inc.) Steam Locomotives. They are available with the DCC sound decoders already built in, and are well detailed from what I've seen. I don't have one yet, so I am giving this info based on what I've seen and heard from others. Also, LL P2K (Life Like Proto 2000) Heritage Steam Locomotives have received some praise for the same reasons. Again, most of what I've heard is good. DCC sound decoders are available in many of their locomotives, too. As for freight cars, I've run into many of the same difficulties that were mentioned above regarding road numbers and general availability. The stuff is out there, but is sometimes hard to find. Accurail seems to have a pretty good freight car selection from what I've seen. Good luck on your quest .

Check out:
http://www.lifelikeproducts.com
http://www.broadway-limited.com
http://www.accurail.com

[cefinkjr]

As a former NYC employee and admirer, I sure don't want to rain on any NYC parade but you should be aware that 'Pacemaker' refers to a very limited fast LCL (less-than-car-load) service that wasn't very successful. I agree that the special red and gray 40' boxcars were really neat looking and a solid train of them would be a joy to behold.

On the other hand, those special box cars ran only in solid trains until the service was discontinued. They were then allowed to roam over the Central until they were repainted but that didn't take long. And, despite what you might see from some toy manufacturers, nothing but 40' boxcars ever wore the red and gray unless there might have been a few cabooses painted to match.

NYC wasn't alone in this. B&O had their Sentinel Service, PRR had their Merchandise Service, and SP ran solid trains of those black boxcars (can't remember the catchy name of their service). They were all about equally unsuccessful.

As for other equipment lettered for NYC, you just have to be diligent in your trips to your LHS (Local Hobby Shop). And don't overlook the other roads that were part of 'the system' and wore the New York Central oval herald (MC, Big Four, B&A, P&LE, etc.) I have an Athearn 50' single door box car that is just beautiful but you can't have it. [;)]

[tstage]

NYCentral1,

I want to concur with jdavid93225 about Accurail. They have several hoppers and boxcars in NYC. (Actually, hoppers and boxcars are all they have in rolling stock.) I like their kits. They are farily easy to put togethr and the detailing is very good. Proto 2000 has a boxcar in NYC, as well as Walthers - though they are mostly RTR (ready to run).

Cabooses are rather limited, as far as manufactuers. Only Walthers (a 3- & 4-window version), Roundhouse, and, now Trix have NYC cabeese. For what the Trix caboose will run you, you can buy 2 Walters RTR's. I've heard though that the new Trix is a very nice model. (Better be for $45 - though I've seen it on sale for $38)

Tom

[NYCentral1]

Thanks guys, I'll check Accurail out.

I didn't know the Pacemaker cars didn't do well, well, it would still be nice to have a few...

So pretty much you can buy most engines and fairly easily add DCC and sound with out too many problems then?

I've seen the Broadway L. stuff, but $300+ is a bit much right now just to start out, but maybe sometime.

[TurboOne]

[#welcome] NYC1 glad you are aboard. The best advice here is start slow and look for what you want, don't settle. Also, don forget ebay, just be cautious as what you see is not what you get. See post farther down listing about that.

Again, welcome and ask questions, someone here will usually have the answer or know where to find it.

Tim

[NYCentral1]

I've seen some Rivarossi Hudsons for sale in various places, and they look nice, but how are they? They don't mention their features, so do they smoke and have working lights? Can you add those if need be?

Also, Bachmann has their NYC Niagaras, how are those?

[tstage]

NYCentral1,

Personally, I would stay away from the Rivarossis. They do indeed look nice but they haven't been the best running of locomotives. I purchased a 0-8-0 Yard goat 3 years ago and returned it within a matter of days because it just stopped working. I would look at the Bachmann's, Proto 2000's, and/or Broadway Limited. All three make very good locomotives. The cost of such will probably follow in the order that I've given you from least to most expensive.

If budget is an issue, some of the MRR's like the IHC locomotvies. Granted, hey aren't the best detailed but they are smooth running and a good bang for your buck. Just passing my 2 cents along...

Tom

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the boards!

Your Bachmann F is probably an FT rather than an F7 - just a minor point, but I would advise you look at a matching B-unit (cabless booster loco), Bachmann offer one with DCC pre-installed painted to match your A-unit. As far as I know, the real things were drawbar coupled into A+B sets - you wouldn't have seen an A without a B (I may be wrong for the NYC, I know that for other RRs they were delivered as permanently-coupled A+B sets). In any case, the B will be useful both in terms of pulling power and the look of the train.

Regarding steam, Bachmann have a Niagara 4-8-4 though I've heard varying reports about it. If you can afford to buy one, Broadway Limited Imports are listing a Niagara to be produced this year in the January '05 Model Railroader - this will have DCC and sound pre-installed and will be a far better model than the Bachmann one. Having said that, if Bachmann's steamers are as good as their cheap diesels it will probably be worth a look - best advice would be to find a good LHS, and ask if you can see one running. Hope this is of help!

[NYCentral1]

Sorry about the F7-FT mixup, I do indeed have a FTA Unit, and I'll be looking into that B unit.

I only have one hobby shop in my area, I live in a town of 20,000 in central MO, and the hobby shop we have is small, and the owner tries to stock as much as possible, but upon inspection of his available engines, it's obvious he leans towards UP, SP, etc. It's much easier for me to just order things of the internet.

I see that BLI engines seem to be very nice, and in most cases they seem to be priced a decent amount above most other companies, so are they really that good? Before spending that much, I would like to know what other people say about their products.

[Don Gibson]

Check out the Bowser line.

For someone starting out I reartedly recommend a good Local Hobby Shop for all the 'beginner' problems - matching equipment, advice, etc.

[NYCentral1]

Does anyone have a pictures of a NYC or related modeled layout?

I still would like to know what people think of the BLI Hudsons>

Thanks for everyones help so far...

[tstage]

NYCentral1,

You can check out the link below my picture. I'm just starting out on my layout so it's still got a ways to go. I'm trying to model the 30's and early '40's - early steam/diesel transition. The freight house colors are my best approximation of what I have found in reference books.

As you can see by the pics, I have both a 2-8-2 Mikado and an ALCO S1 switcher in NYC. Both are VERY nice locomotives and DCC-ready. The Mike is made by Athearn; the switcher, Proto 2000. The diesel can still be had from Trainworld.com for $29.99 (reg. $110 MSRP). The detailing is terrific and it's a sweet lil' runner.

Tom